Florence and the Machine producer wins Brit Award

Paul Epworth, who co-produced Florence and the Machine's album, has won the top prize at the Music Producers' Guild Awards, which also doubles as a Brit.

Epworth was named producer of the year by the MPG, meaning he was also handed the Brit Award for best producer.

It is the second year the two prizes have been awarded together. The main Brits ceremony will be held on Tuesday.

As well as Florence, Epworth has also worked with Friendly Fires, Bloc Party, Jack Penate, The Big Pink and Plan B.

Singer Florence Welch was at the MPG ceremony in London on Thursday to present him with the two trophies.

Epworth started his career working in a council-funded recording studio in Harlow, Essex, before becoming a tea boy at Sir George Martin's Air Studios.

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"I wouldn't be here without the freedom that the digital revolution has given me creatively," he said.

"But also I know I'm lucky to have had that old tuition from people who worked with The Beatles, The Doors, The Beach Boys."

He is now working on new Florence material, as well as working on his own album and writing with Adele.

Dizzee Rascal was also at the MPG ceremony, accepting the award for best album, while Muse picked up best single for Uprising.

Other recipients included Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who signed U2 and Bob Marley. He received the outstanding contribution award.

Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos turned up to present the trophy for best breakthrough producer to Paul Savage, former drummer with Scottish band The Delgados.

MPG chairman Steve Levene, who won the Brit Award for best producer in 1984 for his work with Culture Club, said the biggest challenge for current producers was making money in the face of falling record sales and piracy.

"Unlike an artist who can go and play live, most of us are not very good in the live arena," he said. "We're better behind the scenes. So we can't go out and play clubs and earn a living."

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